Hampshire-based charity Community First, which recently launched the new on-demand bus service in northern Test Valley, has become one of only a handful of accredited centres in the UK able to train minibus driver assessors.
The Minibus Driver Awareness Scheme (MiDAS) is the nationally recognised standard for minibus driver training, ensuring safe, confident, and responsible driving. Community First has long provided MiDAS training across the region, but this new accreditation means the charity can now go one step further – training the trainers themselves.
As a result, Community First will equip Driver Assessors – the people responsible for teaching and evaluating MiDAS drivers – with the skills to:
- Carry out on-road assessments
- Provide constructive feedback and tailored driving tips
- Perform licence checks
- Decide whether drivers meet the criteria to gain MiDAS certification
This will help build a stronger, safer, and more sustainable network of drivers across Hampshire and beyond, ensuring communities remain connected to essential services.
Tim Houghton, Chief Executive Officer of Community First, said:
“We’re proud to be one of a few centres in the UK to deliver this level of training. It means we can not only support local drivers directly but also train the trainers who will go on to make a real difference in their communities, keeping more people connected, safe and confident on the road.”
Noleen Lynch, Director of Operations at the Community Transport Association, added:
“Community First’s new role as a MiDAS Driver Assessor training centre is fantastic news for Hampshire and beyond. Having more centres able to train assessors strengthens the whole community transport network. It helps ensure that vital services, from getting people to appointments to supporting community groups, can continue safely and sustainably.”
Community First offers three assessor training programmes – Standard, Accessible and Refresher – designed to meet different needs, from core training through to specialist support for transporting disabled passengers. Training is delivered from their base at Leigh Park Centre, near Havant.
With the new on-demand bus already operating in Andover’s northern Test Valley villages, this latest accreditation strengthens Community First’s role in ensuring safe, reliable transport options for local people.
For more details on MiDAS training, visit www.cfirst.org.uk.